Shared disk drive component system

ABSTRACT

A server box embodiment is disclosed that generally comprises an array of dummy HDDs that share a common set of universal disk drive components in a master components module, or power module. Each dummy HDDs is constructed without expensive onboard chipsets that control the normal functionality of a standard HDD. By sharing expensive chipsets in a master components module (power module) money can be saved in building and selling the dummy HDD server. Embodiments envision a power module possessing the needed chipset functionality that is missing in a dummy HDD. The power module can be made to move from dummy HDD to dummy HDD supplying the necessary chipset in a shared manner when data is being stored or retrieved for client or end-user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priorityto and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/818,325, entitled SHARED DISK DRIVE COMPONENT SYSTEM filed Mar. 14,2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shared drive components usedwith multiple disk drives in an array of disk drives.

2. Description of Related Art

The disk drive industry is becoming commoditized with the leveling offof data storage capacity and the rate at which data is extracted or sentfor storage. Furthermore, the disk drive industry is getting everincreasing pressure from solid state drives (SSDs). Accordingly,manufacturers that use hard disk drives (HDDs) in their servers arerunning out of room on lower price or extracting profit from serversystem. In other words, there is not much financial margin today inmanufacturing and selling servers constructed from HDDs.

FIG. 1A illustratively depicts a prior art top view drawing of an HDDwithout a cover. In general, a magnetic HDD 99 fundamentally retains orotherwise stores digital data to a magnetic disk 10 via a magneticrecording head 8 that writes data tracks 14 while the disk is spinningunder the magnetic recording head 8. An HDD 99 essentially comprises ahead stack assembly, HSA, 17 that cooperates with a disk assembly 19 andthe necessary electronics. With regards to the disk assembly 19, one ormore magnetic disks 10 are stacked over a spindle motor 12 attached tothe base-plate 18 and clamped in place via a clamping ring 9 screwedinto the spindle motor 12 via bolts 11. Magnetic disks 10 generallycomprise an aluminum substrate covered by an exotic metallicparamagnetic thin film covered by a protective diamond like carbon (DLC)thin film overcoat and lubricated on the outermost surface with aperflourinated-ether lubricant. The lubricant protects the DLC from wearof the magnetic head 8 that interfaces the magnetic disk 10 in a rotarymotion when the spindle motor 12 is spinning. With particular attentionto the HSA 17, a magnetic recording head 8 is retained in constantpressure on the disk surface by a head suspension 6 that is swaged onthe end of an E-block 16, as shown. The E-block 16 is so named because aside view of the E-block 16 has protruding fingers that poorly resemblethe letter “E”. The HSA 17 is pivotally attached to the base-plate 18via a pivot bearing 4. The voice coil magnet 2 obscures the backend/coil end of the HSA 17, which together comprise the voice coil motor3. The voice coil magnet 2 is a strong hard-magnet, which is typicallymade from a neodymium, with a north pole side (+) and a south pole side(−) that facilitates actuating the HSA 17 across the magnetic disk 10depending on how current is moving through the voice coil wire (notshown). The printed circuit board 60, on the bottom/obverse side of thebase-plate 18 (see FIG. 1C), receives power through the power pins 22and a communications cable connection 20 (such as a SAS, SATA, SCSI, orother communications interface cable). For reference, receiving screwholes 24 are shown that receive screws 44 to fixedly attach an HDD cover40 (see FIG. 1B).

FIG. 1B illustratively depicts a top view of an HDD with essentially thesame components as of FIG. 1A. As shown here, the HSA 17 is attached tothe base plate 18 via the HSA pivot bearing 4 with the distal end of theHSA 17 being the magnetic head 8 glued onto a head suspension 6. Thehead suspension 6 is swaged 7 on to the E-block 16 by way of two pinspressed into two accommodating holes in the E-block 16. The proximal endof the HSA 17, being the voice coil 30, for the voice coil motor, isinside of a frame or yoke 32 in this case. When electrical current isapplied to the voice coil 30 in one direction, the proximal end of theHSA 17 biases towards the hard magnet 2 in the “−” direction, and whenelectrical current is applied to the voice coil 30 in and oppositedirection, the proximal end of the HSA 17 biases towards the hard magnet2 in the “+” direction. The hard magnet 2 in combination with the voicecoil 30 generally comprises the voice coil motor 3.

As shown in FIG. 1C, while the hard magnetic disk 10 is spinning (seearrow 34) when the voice coil 30 is energized to move the distal end ofthe HSA 17 in the “+” direction of the hard magnet 2 (see arrow 38), themagnetic head 8 pivots in the opposite direction (see arrow 36). In thisway, the head 8 moves along (is confined to) an arced pathway over thedisk 10, from right to left. Though this figure has the simplecomponents for ease of description, all the components shown are encased(and substantially sealed) between a disk drive cover 40 and the diskdrive baseplate 18. The magnetic head 8 hovers, or is otherwisesupported over the hard disk 10 by an air bearing generated from thespinning hard disk 10. In this way, the magnetic head 8 is able to writedata tracks that are concentric to the circular disk 10.

FIG. 1D illustratively depicts the partial view of the top side HDD 99with a communications interface cable 46 adapted to plug into thecommunications cable connection 20 and a power cable 42 adapted to pluginto the power pins 22. The HDD cover 40 is shown screwed on to thebase-plate 18 via screws 44, as shown. The communications interfacecable 46 has a female adapter/socket 58 that plugs into the pins 19 atthe PCB plug housing 21.

FIG. 1E illustratively depicts the bottom side of the HDD 99 showing theprinted circuit board (PCB) 60 attached to the HDD bottom surface 76.The HDD 99 possesses four bolt holes 74 that facilitate attaching theHDD 152 a chassis for a computer or computing device. The PCB 60 andnon-described electronic chips are crosshatched. The PCB 60 and spindlemotor 62 receive power via the power connector 22 and electrical datasignals via the communications connector 20. Some of the main componentsof the chipset include the CPU 64, RAM, or buffer memory, IC chip 66 andthe read channel 72. Power is provided to the spindle motor 62 by way ofthe motor electrical contacts 68, which are connected to the powerconnector 22 via leads under the PCB 60.

It is to innovations related to more efficiently using HDDs in and arrayin a server system that the subject matter disclosed herein is generallydirected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a server box that comprises aplurality of dummy HDDs positioned in an array within the server boxwherein the dummy HDDs share a common set of universal disk drivecomponents comprised by a master components module. Embodiments envisionthe dummy HDDs being incomplete HDDs in that they are devoid of thetypical onboard chipset that controls a normal functionality a standardHDD (as well as other potential universal components). Certainembodiments further envision the dummy HDDs being devoid of two-polevoice coil magnets that complete a voice coil motor. The mastercomponents module completes the missing elements in the dummy HDDthereby completing the necessary components to form a standard HDD. Morespecifically, embodiments envision the master components modulepossessing the chipset functionality that are missing in the dummy HDDs,and in certain embodiments the two-pole voice coil magnets. Certainembodiments envision the master components module engaging one of thedummy HDDs to form a functional/complete HDD that is able to transferdata to an end user, or client. In this way, a plurality of dummy HDDscan exist in a server sharing a single master components module therebyeliminating the need for each HDD requiring its own set of chips and/orother related components. Because the number of chipsets are reduced,money can be saved, which can in turn lowers the cost of a server. Someembodiments envision the master components module adapted to traverse anarray of dummy HDDs and selectively engaging a target HDD (therebycompleting the needed components of the target HDD) to store and/orretrieve data for client/end user.

One embodiment of the present invention envisions a power modulecomprising: a hard disk drive (HDD) microcontroller; a bus connectorconfigured to connect with a power bus that provides power andcommunication to the power module; and a two position connector pinarray that comprises a plurality of connector pins that correspond to anarray of electrical pads from a dummy HDD, the dummy HDD devoid of atleast an onboard HDD microcontroller, the two position connector pinarray configured to connect with the dummy HDD when in a first positionbut not configured to connect with the dummy HDD when in a secondposition.

Other embodiments contemplate a power module operation methodcomprising: supplying power and the communication link to the powermodule via a power and communication bus that is connected to the powermodule; receiving instructions to engage a dummy HDD; moving a twoposition connector pin array from a first position to a second position,the pin array comprises a plurality of connector pins; after the movingstep, electrically engaging the plurality of connector pins with a padarray disposed on the dummy HDD, the pad array that corresponds with thepin array; and providing controller functionality to the dummy HDD, thecontroller functionality required to bring the dummy HDD to a readystate, the dummy HDD devoid of at least an onboard HDD controllerfunctionality.

Yet other embodiments contemplate a dummy hard disk drive (HDD)comprising: at least one magnetic disk mounted to a spindle motor, thespindle motor attached to a base plate, the at least one magnetic diskconsisting of a rigid disk smaller than 4 inches in diameter; aplurality of magnetic heads each located distally on spring-loadedsuspension, each of the spring-loaded suspensions swaged to an E-block,the E-block attached to a pivot bearing, the pivot bearing 4 attached tothe base plate, the magnetic heads confined to an arched pathway overthe at least one magnetic disk because of the pivot bearing; a primarycircuit board devoid of an onboard disk drive controller, the onboarddisk drive controller is configured to facilitate communication betweenthe dummy HDD and a central processing unit (CPU); a plurality ofelectrical contact points that are configured to electrically cooperatewith a plurality of corresponding electrical connectors, the electricalconnectors are external to the dummy HDD; and the electrical connectorselectrically connected to an external disk drive controller that isadapted to control at least the dummy HDD and a different dummy HDD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B illustratively depict a line drawing of a prior art top viewdrawing of an HDD and associated components without the cover;

FIG. 1C illustratively depicts a line drawing of a voice coil motor inoperation sweeping a magnetic head over a spinning disk;

FIG. 1D is a prior art partial view drawing of the top side HDD 100 witha communications interface cable adapted to plug into the communicationscable connection and a power cable adapted to plug into the power pins;

FIG. 1E illustratively depicts a prior art drawing of the bottom side ofthe HDD 100 showing the printed circuit board (PCB);

FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown therein are isometric line drawings of a serverembodiment with a plurality of dummy HDDs consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustratively depict a dummy HDD embodiment consistentwith embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustratively depict different line drawing perspectives ofa dummy HDD PCB embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5A illustratively depicts an isometric line drawing of the serverbase of FIG. 2A with all but three drives removed to view a power moduleand carriage embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B illustratively depicts a higher resolution view of the carriagemotor and a power module from the circle of FIG. 5A consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5C illustratively depicts and isometric line drawing view of thepower module as viewed from the rear portion of the server consistentwith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5D illustratively depicts the elements within the circle consistentwith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustratively depicts and isometric line drawing of thecarriage as viewed from the server back without the power modules (andother componentry) to simplify depicting downward rotation of the pivotbar consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustratively depicts an enlarged (zoomed in) view of singleset of electrical pin connectors with the pivot bar tilted downward;

FIG. 6C illustratively depicts an isometric line drawing of the carriageof FIG. 6A depicting upward rotation of the pivot bar consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-7D illustratively depict line drawings of various side views ofthe carriage and power modules with relation to a dummy HDD consistentwith embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of method steps describing the function of adummy HDD server in view of FIGS. 7A-7D consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Initially, this disclosure is by way of example only, not by limitation.Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for theconvenience of explanation, shown and described with respect toexemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the principles hereinmay be applied equally in other types of situations involving similaruses of server systems with shared hard disk drive components. In whatfollows, similar or identical structures may be identified usingidentical callouts.

Currently, just about all profit is squeezed out from HDD server systemsdue to cheap labor in China and other countries that practice low to nolabor regulations. Given the thin profit margins on HDD server systems,there is little appetite in manufacturing HDD server systems indeveloped countries, such as the United States. Accordingly, certainnontraditional HDD server system configurations are contemplated herein,which provide server efficiency and can be manufactured and soldprofitably.

Along these lines, certain embodiments contemplate a server box thatcomprises a plurality of dummy HDDs arranged in an array within theserver box wherein the dummy HDDs share a common set of universal diskdrive components in a master components module, or power module. Certainembodiments envision a dummy HDD devoid of the typical onboard chipsetthat controls a normal functionality a standard HDD (as well as otherpotential universal components). Some embodiments further contemplate adummy HDD devoid of the standard two-pole voice coil magnets thatcomplete a voice coil motor. In this light, the master components modulecompletes the missing elements in the standard HDD. More specifically,embodiments envision the master components module possessing the neededchipset functionality that is missing in a dummy HDD and in the case ofa dummy HDD deprived of voice coil magnet/s, the master componentsmodule would further comprise the needed shareable two-pole voice coilmagnet/s. Hence, the master components module is envisioned to engageone of the dummy HDDs to form a functional/complete HDD that is able tomeet the data storage needs of a standard HDD for an end user, orclient. In this way, a plurality of dummy HDDs can exist in a server andshare a single master components module thereby saving money and/orlowering the cost of a server. The master components module can beadapted to traverse an array of dummy HDDs and selectively engaging atarget HDD to store and/or retrieve data for a client/end user.

Referring to the drawings in general, and initially to FIGS. 2A and 2B,shown therein are isometric line drawings of a server embodiment 100with a plurality of dummy HDDs consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 2A depicts a server embodiment 100 without acover to show the array of dummy HDDs 150. In this embodiment, there arethirty-five rows 101 and four columns 120, 122, 124 and 126 of dummyHDDs 150 that are each bolted to a HDD chassis plate 152. A generic rowof dummy HDDs 150 is be designated herein as element 101. The HDDchassis plates 152 are attached to the server base 156 via the siderails 154. FIG. 2B illustratively depicts the server 100 of FIG. 2A witha cover 102 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Asshown, the server 100 is attached to the base 156 by way of bolts 109(or some other attachment concept known to those skilled in themechanical arts) shown at the server side 106. On the front of theserver 108 are plurality of vent holes/perforations 110 that provideairflow through the server interior, which can also be located on theback of the server 104. Other embodiments envision vent holes elsewherealong the server cover 102 to better facilitate airflow and cooling ofthe server system 100. Certain embodiments envision an active coolingsystem, such as an internal fan (not shown), while other embodimentsenvision passive cooling from an air-conditioned room. The presentserver embodiment 100 is depicted with no fan because of the low heatgeneration from powering only one row 101 of (four) dummy HDDs 150 at atime. In other words, the present server embodiment 100 only powers onerow 101 of HDDs 150 at a time, which generates a small amount of heateasily dissipated by passive cooling through vents in the server cover102.

As further shown, a plurality of data network interface connectors 112and 114 are depicted on the front surface 108 of the server cover 102.The data network interface connectors 112 and 114 can be high-speedethernet connectors, such as BNC series connectors, DB seriesconnectors, V series connectors, RJ series connectors, Centronics seriesconnectors, fiber-optic series connectors, HD series connectors, SCSIseries connectors, ATA, SAS, USB, and a host of additional connectorsused for server systems (such as NAS, LAN, WAN, SAN, DAS or otherattached storage systems) known to those skilled in the art. The backsurface 104 of the storage system 100 can also support data networkinterface connectors 112/114 without departing from the scope and spiritof the present invention. The data network interface connectors 112/114can be used to connect to a network of other servers, the Internet, or acloud system, just to name a few architectures, which commonly utilizeserver systems.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustratively depict a dummy HDD embodiment 150consistent with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3Aillustratively depicts a front view of the dummy HDD 150 (thecase/cover) roughly geometrically defined by a front surface 206, a backsurface 208, left and right sides 204, a top side 202 and a bottom side205. In this embodiment, the dummy PCB 210 comprises a connector tab 225extending from the bottom side 205, as shown. The connector tab 225comprises a plurality of electrical connector pads 220 viewable fromonly the front surface 206. Other embodiments envision the electricalconnector pads 220 viewable from only the back surface 208. In thepresent embodiment, each of the electrical connector pads 220corresponds to a connector pin 19 from the communications cableconnection 20 and power pins 22 from a standard HDD 99. Of course, askilled artisan will appreciate that the electrical connector pads 220need only facilitate power to the dummy HDD 150 and communicationbetween the dummy HDD 150 and the outside world via correspondingelectrical connector pins 452 of FIG. 5B. The present dummy HDD 150further comprises a cover vibration dampener 207, a breather port andfilter 201. Other dummy HDD embodiments are not limited to theseparticular arrangements of HDD 150.

FIG. 3B illustratively depicts a back surface 208 view of the dummy HDD150 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Unlike theprior art HDD 99 of FIG. 1C, the dummy PCB 210 is smaller, comprises fewto no circuit chips, and in some embodiments, few to no primary circuitchips (like a read channel chip, HDD controller microprocessor chip,EPROM, and/or buffer memory), and does not have connector pins 19 or aconnector housing 21 like the prior art PCB 60, just to name severaldifferences. The dashed line that frames the outer edge of the backsurface 208 essentially shows the perimeter 230 of the dummy HDD 150. Inthis particular embodiment, the two sides 204, the top side 202 and thebottom side 205 essentially define the dummy HDD perimeter 230. Theconnector tab 225 extends beyond the perimeter 230 so that it can engageor otherwise electrically contact a plurality of electrical connectorpins 452. As shown from this vantage, power is transferred from theelectrical connector pads 220 the spindle motor 12 by way of a flexcircuit 212. The dummy HDD 150 can be bolted to a chassis/plate via boltholes 215. In this embodiment, the electrical connector pads 220disposed on the connector tab 225 are not viewable from the back surface208.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustratively depict different line drawing perspectives ofa dummy HDD PCB embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 4A shows an isometric line drawing of the front facingside 222 of the dummy PCB 210 wherein the electrical connector pads 220are viewable. In this embodiment, thirty individual electrical connectorpads 220 that comprise a pad array 221. As shown, there are little to noelectrical chips on the dummy PCB 210, however in practice the dummy PCB210 may require some electrical chips, such as resistors or other simpleelectrical chips, disposed along electrical trace lines, for example.The connector tab 225 extends from the bottom edge 226 to facilitateaccess to the electrical connector pads 220 by way of an articulatingpin connector 450/452 (see the power module 410, shown in FIG. 6B, forexample). Though not shown in these figures, the dummy PCB 210 furtherpossesses electrical traces/electrical lines that lead to electricalcomponents of the dummy HDD 150. For example, some of the electricaltraces/electrical lines can lead to at least one of the spindle motor12, the magnetic heads 8, the voice coil 30, head preamplifier/s (notshown), and/other power requiring components in the dummy HDD 150. Thedummy PCB 210 can be attached to the back surface 208 of the dummy HDD150 by way of bolts 44 connecting bolt holes 228 with corresponding boltholes (not shown) in the dummy HDD base plate back surface 208.

FIG. 4B illustratively depicts a front view of the front facing side 222of the dummy PCB 210 and FIG. 4C illustratively depicts a back view ofthe back facing side 224 of the dummy PCB 210 consistent withembodiments of the present invention. As shown, the back facing side 224of the dummy PCB 210 does not have any electrical connector pads 220viewably disposed on this surface 224.

FIG. 5A illustratively depicts an isometric line drawing of the serverbase 156 of FIG. 2A with all but three drives removed to view a powermodule and carriage embodiment consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention. As shown here, a carriage 400 supports four powermodules 410 that can receive power and communication from the outsideworld via a power bus 485. The power bus 485 is essentially a ribbonwith a plurality of conductive lines that in this embodiment is disposedbetween the dummy HDDs 150 and the server base 156. The power modules410 are evenly positioned along the carriage 400 to service dummy HDDs150 along each of corresponding four columns 120, 122, 124 and 126. Inother words, the far right power module 410 will service all of thedummy HDDs 150 in only column 120, and so on with the far left powermodule 410 servicing all of the dummy HDDs 150 in only column 126. Inthis present depiction, there are three dummy HDDs 150 attached, orbolted in this case, to a chassis plate 152. The carriage 400 isconfigured to traverse under the dummy HDDs 150 and chassis plates 152via a carriage motor 448 along a threaded bar 404 that is anchored via arear anchor block 422 and a front anchor block 424 towards the back 104and front 108 of the server 100, respectively. In the presentconfiguration, a tension bolt 405, a tension spring 426 and a threadedbar fitting 423 provide some flexibility and constant tension on thethreaded bar 404, however other embodiments do not envision the relatedtension bolt components. Furthermore, in the present configuration thecarriage 400 comprises a pair of bearings 402 on each side of thecarriage 400 adapted to slide along mating rails 406. The rails 406 canbe mounted to the support beams 408 on either side of the server base156, as shown. The carriage motor 448 can be a stepper motor or someother kind of servo/positioning motor that can move the carriage to atargeted row 101 of dummy HDDs 150. The carriage motor 448 and one ofthe power modules 410 are encircled 440 to better show this perspectivein higher resolution, which is depicted in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B illustratively depicts a higher resolution view of the carriagemotor 448 and a power module 410 from the circle 440 of FIG. 5Aconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. In thisembodiment, there are 24 electrical pins 452 as shown extending from acarriage pivot bar 450. The 24 electrical pins 452 comprise a connectorpin array 453, which is the collective group of electrical pins 452 thatare configured to correspond or otherwise mate with correspondingelectrical pads 220. The carriage pivot bar 450 is one embodiment of atwo-position connector pin array 453 wherein a first position is thatwhich facilitates the connector pin array 453 to contact mating pads 220of a dummy HDD 150 and a second position is that which does notfacilitate the connector pin array 453 to contact mating pads 220 of adummy HDD 150 when the power module 410 is simply moved via the carriage400. The electrical pins 452 are electrically connected with the powermodule 410, which in this embodiment has a power module PCB 411 thatcomprises a HDD controller integrated circuit (IC) chip 464, alsoreferred to herein as a HDD controller 464. Certain embodiments envisiona bus ribbon 485 being connected to each of the power modules 410 via abus connector 446, while other embodiments envision a bus linking eachof the power modules 410 via the carriage 400. As shown here, oneimportant difference between a dummy HDD 150 and a normal standalone(fully independently operable) HDD 99 is that the HDD controller 464 isexternal to a dummy HDD 150. The HDD controller 464 possesses manyfunctions that would otherwise be integrated in a standalone HDD 99including facilitating bringing the dummy HDD 150 to a ready state,controlling motor speed, controlling voice coil motor positioning, andpossibly many more complex feedback functions. The HDD controller 464 isan expensive component on a typical standalone HDD 99.

An HDD ready state means that when power is supplied to an HDD, thespindle motor 12 is brought to full speed (typically between 3600-10000RPM), the magnetic heads 8 are actuated to a designated position overthe magnetic disk 10 the HDD is ready to begin interfacing with anexternal CPU or data user. This simplified ready state definition isextremely simplified. For example, the magnetic heads 8 are often movedoff of a ramp (not shown) beyond the outer edge of the magnetic disk 10when the spindle motor 12 is brought to full speed (or some otheracceptable speed where a slider supporting the magnetic head 8 isessentially flying, i.e., it can reliably form an air bearing from theboundary layer flow generated by the spinning magnetic disk 10). Oncethe magnetic heads 8 are safely flying over the magnetic disk 10, themagnetic heads 8 must locate its position on the magnetic disk 10 byvirtue of reading servo data at sector barriers along the thousands ofdata tracks 14 magnetically written on to the magnetic disk 10. This isaccomplished by powering a read channel 72 and linking communicationbetween the read channel 72 and the HDD controller 64 or 464. Once theVCM 3 essentially perfectly positions or otherwise locks the magneticheads 8 on a designated track, or designated tracks, and all of theinternal elements that facilitates communication with the CPU are up andrunning. Hence, the HDD is in a ready state.

Certain embodiments envision one or more ICs (chipsets) that arenormally on a standard HDD PCB 60, e.g., spindle motor controller ICchips (that controls the speed of the spindle motor to a tightlycontrolled rpm, i.e., 6400 rpm+/−0.2%), read channel IC chips,amplifiers, RAM chips, EEPROM's, etc., being either on the power module410 or elsewhere so long as the one or more ICs are not residing locallyon the dummy HDD 150. Certain other embodiments envision transmittingthe functionality of these ICs through the power module 410 whereby someor none of these ICs are actually located on the power module 410.Accordingly, the controlling functions of a normal HDD 99 that typicallyresides on the PCB 60 are located externally from the dummy HDD 150 andshared between multiple dummy HDDs 150 in order to save more money. Inthis way, and in reference to the present server embodiment 100, fourchipsets can be shared between one hundred and forty dummy HDDs 150thereby saving the cost of one hundred and thirty six chipsets. In theembodiment wherein the functionality of the chipset is not confined to aspecific IC and is rather handled in a master location on the server, orelsewhere, the price of the four chipsets can further be eliminated orreduced. Certain embodiments envision a master controller providing thechipset functionality to a plurality of servers. Hence, if there arefifty servers each with one hundred and forty dummy HDDs 150 whereineach disk drive is controlled by one master controller that provides thechipset functionality, then the cost of an additional two hundredchipsets are saved. Other advantages include eliminating reliabilityand/or other concerns associated with two hundred chipsets.

FIG. 5C illustratively depicts and isometric line drawing view of thepower module 410 as viewed from the rear portion 104 of the server 100consistent with embodiments of the present invention. From thisperspective, the carriage motor 448 shows how it can drive along thethreaded bar 404 to traverse along the server base 156. As discussedearlier in association with this embodiment, power is provided to thecarriage 400 by at least one power bus 485. The four power modules 410are dispersed along the carriage 400 between the carriage bearings 402,which in this case are in line with the columns 120-126 of dummy HDDs150. The carriage 400 further comprises a pivot motor 475 that rotatesthe pivot bar 450 up and down to engage the electrical pin connectors452 with a corresponding dummy HDD 150, as will be discussed later. Thecarriage motor 448, a set of connector pins 452, and a power module 410are encircled 490 to provide a zoomed in view of these componentsdepicted in FIG. 5D.

FIG. 5D illustratively depicts the elements within the circle 490consistent with embodiments of the present invention. In this particularconfiguration, the carriage motor 448 is located in the center of thecarriage 400, however other embodiments envision the carriage motor 448being located anywhere on the carriage 400. Other embodiments envisionthe carriage 400 being moved by a motor elsewhere in the server thatdrives a screw held in place by a bearing on the carriage 400. While yetother embodiments envision the carriage 400 being moved across theserver base 156 by some other means known to those skilled in the art.The free ends 455 of the electrical pin connectors 452 (attached to thepivot bar 450 in this embodiment) are extending beyond the pivot baredge 451. In this figure, the pivot bar 450 is angled in a down positionwhereby the electrical pin connectors 452, and more specifically theelectrical pin connector free ends 455, are pointing downwards towardsthe carriage plate 400.

FIG. 6A illustratively depicts and isometric line drawing of thecarriage 400 as viewed from the server back 104 without the powermodules 410 (and other componentry) to simplify depicting downwardrotation of the pivot bar 450 consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. The pivot bar 450 is tilted downward as indicated by thecurved arrow 500. When in the downward tilted configuration 500, thecarriage 400 is free to move without obstruction in order to traverseunder the array of dummy HDDs 150 in the server 100. FIG. 6Billustratively depicts an enlarged (zoomed in) view of single set ofelectrical pin connectors 452 with the pivot bar 450 tilted downward500. In the present embodiment, the twenty four electrical pins 455 areconfigured and arranged to contact twenty four corresponding electricalpads 220, such as are disposed on the tab 225 that extends from the PCB210. In the present embodiment, the electric pin connectors 452generally comprise a plurality of electrical pins 455 that each extendfrom a spring-loaded housing 454. The spring-loaded housing 454possesses an internal spring (not shown) that facilitates axial movementwith a spring force resistance of the electrical pins 455 so that when apin 455 mates/contacts with a corresponding electrical pad 220, constantpressure can be maintained between the electrical pad 220 and theelectrical pin tip 455. In this way, the spring-loaded pins 455 canaccommodate the real-life tolerances of the mechanical parts in theserver 100.

FIG. 6C illustratively depicts an isometric line drawing of the carriage400 of FIG. 6A depicting upward rotation of the pivot bar 450 consistentwith embodiments of the present invention. In this figure, the pivot bar450 is tilted upward as indicated by the curved arrow 502. When in theupward tilted configuration 502, the carriage 400 is positioned toengage the electrical pads 220 comprised by the dummy HDD 150.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustratively depict line drawings of various side views ofthe carriage 400 and power modules 410 with relation to a dummy HDD 150consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The method stepsshown by the block diagram of FIG. 8 are described in view of FIGS.7A-7D. As shown in FIG. 7A, the pivot bar 450 is tilted downwards 500 sothat the carriage 400 can freely move under the array of dummy HDDs 150.In one operational example, a user/consumer of data is desirous ofretrieving a data file and makes a request to do so (method step 800).Certain embodiments envision a server data directory (either locallymaintained by the server 100 or elsewhere) pointing to the location ofthe data file on one or more specific dummy HDDs 150 in the server 100,step 802. For example, assuming that the desired data file is stored to(target) dummy HDD 150 at row-22 column-3 124, then the carriage 400would be made to move along the drivetrain, which in this case is athreaded bar 404 and rails 408, via the carriage motor 448 to row-22,step 804. The connector portion of the carriage 400, pins 452, dummy PCB210 and dummy HDD 150 are encircled 710 to zoom in on these parts ofinterest.

FIG. 7B illustratively depicts a line drawing of the circle 710 of FIG.7A showing the spring-loaded pins 455 located just below the dummy HDDelectrical pads 220 facing the server front 108. As shown with moreclarity, the pivot bar 450 is pivoted downward 500 about the pivot point715. Also to be appreciated in this embodiment, the PCB tab 225 extendsfrom the dummy PCB 210 below the bottom side of the dummy HDD 150. Withthe carriage 400 in a position for the electrical pins 455 to engage theelectrical pads 220, the pivot motor 475 is energized to make the pivotbar 450 rotate in the upward position 502 to engage the electrical pads220, step 806. Certain embodiments envision that once the electricalpins 455 are in position to engage the electrical pads 220 (i.e., thepivot bar 450 is rotated upwards 502), there will be a gap between theelectrical pads 20 and the electrical pins 455. Accordingly, in thisembodiment the carriage motor 448 moves the carriage 400 towards thedummy HDD 150 to close the gap between the electrical pads 220 and theelectrical pins 455 to complete the electrical contact required toelectrically power and communicate with the dummy HDD 150, step 808. Inthe present embodiment, feedback is provided to determine or otherwiseverify that the electrical pads 200 are in electrical contact with thepins 455, step 810. Certain embodiments envision electrical contactverification between the pins 455 and the pads 220 providing feedback tothe carriage motor 448 that it is fully in position and the gap isclosed. Yet other embodiments envision a sensor (not shown) in thecarriage 400 or elsewhere that detects mechanical resistance (contact)of the electrical pins 455 compressing against the PCB tab 225 toindicate that the gap is closed.

FIG. 7C illustratively depicts a side view line drawing of theelectrical pins 455 engaged with the corresponding electrical pads 220to form an electrical connection between a power source and the dummyHDD 150 via a bus 485 consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. The power source could be a power supply built into theserver 100 whereby the bus 485 can be a pipeline for power andcommunication. Certain embodiments envision a motherboard (not shown) inthe server 100 connected to the power supply (not shown) and externaldata connections 112 and 114, the motherboard (not shown) beinginterposed between at least a) the power supply and the external dataconnections 112 and 114, and b) the bus 485. Other embodiments envisionan external controller and power supply servicing the server 100, andperhaps a plurality of servers. The connector portion of the carriage400, pins 452, dummy PCB 210 and dummy HDD 150 are encircled 720 to zoomin on these parts of interest.

FIG. 7D illustratively depicts a line drawing of the circle 720 of FIG.7C showing the spring-loaded pins 455 located just below the dummy HDDelectrical pads 220 facing the server front 108. As shown in higherresolution, the pivot bar 450 is pivoted upwards 502 about the pivotpoint 715. The electrical pins 455 are engaged with (and in this casecompressed or otherwise spring-loaded against) the electrical pads 220on the PCB tab 225 that extends from the dummy PCB 210. As shown, theextended PCB tab 225 provides a contact interface for the electricalpins 452 to electrically connect with the electrical pads 220 in thetight space between the rows and under the dummy HDDs 150 (as shown inFIG. 2A). After electrical contact between the electrical pins 452 andthe electrical pads 220 is established, electrical power is supplied tothe dummy HDD 150 via the bus 485. Furthermore, transmission ofelectrical signals and communication between dummy HDD 150 and thechipset on the power module 410 is made through the electrical pins 455,step 812. As previously mentioned, optional embodiments envision thechipset functionality possessing a number of different configurations,whether internal to the server 100 or external to the server 100. Thedummy HDD 150 is then brought to a ready state whereby the dummy HDD 150(at row-22, column-3) is prepared to receive data from a client/userdata or transmit data stored on the target dummy HDD 150 for theclient/user of data, step 814. Because the client/user of data isseeking a file from the target dummy HDD 150 at row-22, column-3, thedata file is transmitted from the selected/target dummy HDD 150 throughthe power module 410, out the server 100, and to the client/user data,step 816. This is typically accomplished via a host and the hostcomputing system and (the host) bus 485. After all storage operationsare completed with the target dummy HDD 150 at row-22, column-3 (in thisexample the data file is delivered to the user of data/requestor, step820), the carriage motor 448 reverses direction thereby disconnectingthe electrical pins 455 from the electrical pads 220, step 820. Next,the pivot plate 450 is rotated downwards 500 about the pivot point 715into a carriage traversing geometry whereby the carriage 400 is free tomove across the rows 120-126 of dummy HDDs 152 position at a new targetdummy HDD 154 for new storage related activities, step 822.

With the present description in mind, some embodiments of the presentinvention therefore contemplate:

A dummy hard disk drive (HDD) 150 comprising: at least one magnetic disk10 mounted to a spindle motor 12, the spindle motor 12 attached to abase plate 18, the at least one magnetic disk 10 consisting of a rigiddisk smaller than 4 inches in diameter; a plurality of magnetic heads 8each located distally on spring-loaded suspension 6, each of thespring-loaded suspensions 6 swaged 7 to an E-block 17, the E-block 17attached to a pivot bearing 4, the pivot bearing 4 attached to the baseplate 18, the magnetic heads 8 confined to an arched pathway over the atleast one magnetic disk 10 because of the pivot bearing 4; a primarycircuit board 210 devoid of an onboard disk drive controller 64, theonboard disk drive controller 64 is configured to facilitatecommunication between the dummy HDD and a central processing unit (CPU);a plurality of electrical contact points 220 that are configured toelectrically cooperate with a plurality of corresponding electricalconnectors 504, the electrical connectors 504 are external to the dummyHDD; and the electrical connectors 504 electrically connected to anexternal disk drive controller 64 that is adapted to control at leastthe dummy HDD and a different dummy HDD.

The dummy HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein the dummy HDDis incapable of performing primary or basic functions without theexternal disk drive controller 64.

The dummy HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein the spindlemotor 12, the at least one magnetic disk 10, the plurality of magneticheads 8 the E-block 17, and the pivot bearing 4 are essentially encasedwithin a top cover 206, a base 208, a top side 202, a bottom side 205,and two sides 204. Further, the plurality of electrical contact points220 are electrical connector pads 220 disposed on a bottom edge 226 ofthe primary circuit board 210, the bottom edge 226 is located at thebottom side 205. Additionally, the bottom side is a tab that extendsfrom a dummy HDD perimeter 230 defined by the top side 202, the bottomside 205, and the two sides 204, or optionally the electrical contactpoints 220 are configured to electrically connected with a plurality ofcorresponding electrical pins 504. The dummy HDD 150 embodiment isfurther envisioned wherein the plurality of corresponding electricalpins are connected an external with disk drive controller 64, theexternal disk drive controller 64 is configured to facilitatecommunication between the dummy HDD 150 and a central processing unit(CPU), the external disk drive controller 64 is not located within or onthe dummy HDD 150. Further, wherein the dummy HDD 150 is incapable ofcoming ready without the external disk drive controller 64.

Other embodiments contemplate a reduced component hard disk drive (HDD)150 comprising: a spindle motor 12 consisting of at least one magneticdisk 10 less than 4 inches in diameter, at least one magnetic read/writehead 8 configured to read and write data to the at least one magneticdisk 10; and a primary circuit board 210 electrically connected with aplurality of electrical contact points 220, electrical connectors 504that are external to the dummy HDD 150 are configured to electricallyconnect with the electrical contact points 220, the electricalconnectors 504 are electrically connected with a shared disk drivecontroller 64 that is also external to the dummy HDD 150, the shareddisk drive controller 64 is configured to be shared with a plurality ofother dummy HDDs one at a time, the shared disk drive controller 64comprises required logic to bring the dummy HDD 150 to a ready statewhen the dummy HDD 150 is powered, the dummy HDD 150 devoid of an HDDcontroller with the required logic.

The reduced component HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein theshared disk drive controller 64 is configured to facilitate datacommunication between the dummy HDD 150 and a central processing unit(CPU).

The reduced component HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein theelectrical contact points 220 are electrical pads and the electricalconnectors 504 are electrical pins.

The reduced component HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein theelectrical connectors 504 are robotically moved between the dummy HDD150 and the plurality of other dummy HDDs.

The reduced component HDD 150 embodiment further envisioning wherein theprimary circuit board 210 possesses a lip 225 that extends at least 3 mmbeyond an HDD perimeter defined by an HDD base plate 208.

Yet other embodiments contemplate method for operating a dummy HDD 150,the method comprising: providing a first dummy HDD 150 that comprises atleast one magnetic disk 10 mounted on a spindle motor 12, a head stackassembly (HSA) 17 at least one magnetic read write head 8; roboticallymoving a power module 410 from a second dummy HDD 150 to the first dummyHDD 150; after the moving step, engaging the first dummy HDD 150 withthe power module 410; and after the engaging step, supplying power anddisk drive controller logic to the first dummy HDD 150 and bringing thefirst dummy HDD 150 to a ready state, the first dummy HDD 150 is devoidof the disk drive controller logic independent of the power module 410.

The method embodiment further envisioning wherein the disk drivecontroller logic is built into a disk drive controller 64. It is furtherenvisioned that the disk drive controller 64 is built into the powermodule 410.

The method embodiment further envisioning wherein the first dummy HDD150 comprises a primary circuit board 210 that electrically links thespindle motor 12 and the HSA 17 to the power module 410 via a pin andpad connection from electrical pins comprised by the power module andcorresponding electrical pads disposed on the primary circuit board 210.This method embodiment is further envisioned wherein the electrical padsare disposed on a primary circuit board lip 225 that extends at least 3mm beyond an HDD perimeter defined by an HDD base plate 208.

The method embodiment further envisioning wherein data is transferred tothe second dummy HDD 150 and stored to the second dummy HDD 150 via thepower module 410 when the second dummy HDD 150 is engaged with the powermodule 410 prior to the moving step.

The method embodiment further envisioning wherein data is transferred tothe first dummy HDD 150 and stored to the first dummy HDD 150 via thepower module 410 after the supplying step.

While other embodiments contemplate a disk drive server 100 comprising:at least one row 120 of hard disk drives (HDDs), each of the HDDs 150defined by a front surface 206, a back surface 208, and an edgeperimeter 230; an HDD printed circuit board 210 attached to each of theback surfaces 208, a contact lead portion 225 of the HDD printed circuitboard 210 extending beyond the edge perimeter 230; a plurality ofelectrical connector pads 220 disposed on the portion of the HDD printedcircuit board 225; an electrically powered carriage 400 configured totraverse along the row of HDDs 120, the carriage 400 further configuredto be electrically powered 485, the carriage 400 comprising at least onearticulating pin connector 452; and a plurality of electrical pins 504extending from each of the articulating pin connector 452, theelectrical pins 504 electrically connect with the electrical connectorpads 220 when the articulating pin connector 452 is in a first position(FIG. 6C), the electrical pins 504 cannot electrically connect with theelectrical connector pads 220 when the articulating pin connector 452 isin a second position (FIG. 6A).

The disk drive server 100 embodiment further comprising a bus 485 thatis connected to the carriage 400, the bus 485 configured to carryelectrical power and electrical signals to and from the HDD 150 via theelectrical pins 504 when connected with the electrical connector pads220.

The disk drive server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein the atleast one articulating pin connector 452 is adapted to pivot between thefirst and the second positions.

The disk drive server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein thecarriage 400 can freely traverse along the row of HDDs 120 only when thearticulating pin connector 452 is in the first position.

The disk drive server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein theelectrical connector pads 220 include data transfer pads, spindle motorpower pads, and voice coil motor power pads.

The disk drive server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein theplurality of electrical pins 504 are spring-loaded.

The disk drives server 100 embodiment further envisioning the carriage400 comprises four articulating pin connectors 452 that are eachattached to a pivot bar 450. wherein each of the four articulating pinconnectors 452 services a corresponding row of HDDs 150.

The disk drive server 100 further comprising data network interfaceconnectors 112/114.

Yet other embodiments contemplate an HDD server 100 comprising: at leastone row of dummy hard disk drives (HDDs) 150; a plurality of electricalconnector pads 220 extending from each of the dummy HDDs 150; a carriage400 possessing at least one articulating pin connector 452, thearticulating pin connector 452 is electrically and communicativelyconnected with the electrical connector pads 220 of one of the dummyHDDs 150 when the articulating pin connector is in a first position, thearticulating pin connector 452 is only movable between the plurality ofdummy HDDs 150 when the articulating pin connector 452 is in a secondposition.

The HDD server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein at least somelogic commands required to bring the dummy HDD ready is externallylocated from the dummy HDDs 150. This embodiment further envisionswherein the at least some logic commands are located on the carriage400.

The HDD server 100 embodiment further envisioning wherein thearticulating pin connector 452 comprises a plurality of electrical pins455 that extend from a pivot bar 450 that pivots between the firstposition and the second position.

The HDD server 100 embodiment further comprising a first row 120 and asecond row 122 of dummy HDDs 150, the carriage 400 comprising a firstarticulating pin connector 452 aligned with the first row 120 and thesecond pin connector 452 aligned with the second row 122.

A different embodiment contemplates a method for connecting a dummy harddisk drive (HDD) 150 in a dummy HDD server 100, the method comprising:providing a first row 120 of dummy HDDs 150 inside of the dummy HDDserver 100, each of the dummy HDDs 150 are devoid of required necessarylogic to come ready, a carriage 400 comprising a first articulating pinconnector 452; while the first articulating pin connector 452 is in afirst position 500, moving the carriage 400 along the first row 120 to afirst dummy HDD 150; when at the first dummy HDD 150, positioning thefirst articulating pin connector 452 in a second position 502, while inthe second position the carriage 400 is prevented from moving along thefirst row 120; and electrically connecting the first articulating pinconnector 452 to the first dummy HDD 150 while in the second position.

The method further envisioning wherein the articulating pin connector452 is attached to a pivot plate 450, the pivot plate 450 pivotingbetween the first position 500 and the second position 502 during thepositioning step.

The method envisioning further comprising physically contacting thefirst articulating pin connector 452 with the first dummy HDD 150 priorto the electrically connecting step wherein the articulating pinconnector 452 comprises a plurality of spring-loaded electrical pins 455that contact corresponding electrical pads 220 comprised by the firstdummy HDD 150.

The method further envisioning wherein the required necessary logic comeready is provided to the first dummy HDD 150 by way of an externalcontroller device an external power transmitted via the articulating pinconnector 452.

The method further envisioning wherein the external controller deviceincludes all of the necessary logic to operate the first dummy HDD 150.

The method further envisioning wherein the electrically connecting stepis accomplished by way of a feedback system to the motor ensuringelectrical conductivity.

The method envisioning further comprising storing and retrieving userdata with the first dummy HDD 150 for a client.

The method further envisioning further comprising physicallydisconnecting the first articulating pin connector 452 from the firstdummy HDD 150; repositioning the first articulating pin connector 452from the second position 502 to the first position 500; and moving thecarriage 400 to a second dummy HDD 150 along the first row; when at thesecond dummy HDD 150, positioning the first articulating pin connector452 in the second position 502; and electrically connecting the firstarticulating pin connector 452 to the second dummy HDD 150 while in thesecond position.

The method envisioning further comprising a second row of dummy HDDs 122and a second articulating pin connector 452 aligned with the second rowof dummy HDDs 122.

Some arrangements of the present invention are envisioned to comprise apower module 410 comprising: a hard disk drive (HDD) microcontroller 64;a bus connector 446 configured to connect with a power bus 485 thatprovides power and communication to the power module 410; and a twoposition connector pin array 453 that comprises a plurality of connectorpins 452 that correspond to an array of electrical pads 220 from a dummyHDD 150, the dummy HDD devoid of at least an onboard HDD microcontroller64, the two position connector pin array 453 configured to connect withthe dummy HDD 150 when in a first position but not configured to connectwith the dummy HDD 150 when in a second position.

The power module 410 embodiment further comprising a hard disk drivesolid state buffer memory chip.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein the harddisk drive microcontroller 64 includes a hard disk drive motorcontroller.

The power module 410 embodiment further comprising a hard disk drivemotor controller integrated circuit chip.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein the powerbus 485 possesses an individual electrical line corresponding to each ofthe electrical pins 452.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein theconnector pins 452 are spring-loaded.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein the powermodule 410 comprises all functionality not onboard the dummy HDD 150that would otherwise complete a standalone HDD 99.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein the twoposition connector pin array 453 is tilted downward in the firstposition and tilted upward in the second position.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein the powermodule 410 attached to a carriage 400, the carriage 400 is configured totraverse an array of dummy HDDs 150.

The power module 410 embodiment further envisioning wherein theelectrical pads 220 extend from a periphery 230 of the dummy HDD 150.

Other arrangements of the present invention contemplate a power module410 operation method comprising: supplying power and the communicationlink to the power module 410 via a power and communication bus 485 thatis connected to the power module 410; receiving instructions to engage adummy HDD 150; moving a two position connector pin array 453 from afirst position 500 to a second position 502, the pin array 453 comprisesa plurality of connector pins 452; after the moving step, electricallyengaging the plurality of connector pins 452 with a pad array 221disposed on the dummy HDD 150, the pad array 221 that corresponds withthe pin array 453; and providing controller functionality 64 to thedummy HDD, the controller functionality required to bring the dummy HDD150 to a ready state, the dummy HDD 150 devoid of at least an onboardHDD controller functionality.

The power module 410 operation method embodiment further envisioningwherein the controller functionality is built-in to a hard disk drivemicrocontroller 64.

The power module 410 operation method embodiment further comprisingdisengaging the power module 410 from the dummy HDD 150 and moving thetwo position connector pin array 453 from the second position 502 to thefirst position 500.

The power module 410 operation method embodiment further comprising ahard disk drive motor controller integrated circuit chip on the powermodule 410, the dummy HDD devoid of motor controller capability.

The power module 410 operation method of claim 11 wherein the twoposition connector pin array 453 rotates from the first position 500 tothe second position 502 by way of a pivoting motion.

The power module 410 operation method embodiment further envisioningwherein the power module 410 further possesses a primary hard disk drivesolid state buffer memory chip 66, the dummy HDD 150 devoid of buffermemory functionality other than hard disks 10 in the dummy HDD 150.

The power module 410 operating method embodiment further envisioningwherein the pin array 453 is tilted downward when in the first position500 and the connector pins 452 are orthogonal to the pad array 221 whenin the second position.

The power module 410 operating method embodiment further comprisingprior to the moving step, traversing an array of dummy HDDs 150 with thepin array 453 in the first position.

While still other arrangements consistent with the present inventionenvision A dummy HDD power module 410 comprising: a hard disk drive(HDD) microcontroller 64 with HDD microcontroller functionality; an HDDspindle motor controller with HDD spindle motor controller functionalityconfigured to maintain HDD spindle motor speed within a tolerance of+/−0.2%; a bus connector 446 configured to connect with a power bus 485that provides power and communication to the power module 410; and a twoposition connector pin array 453 that comprises a plurality of connectorpins 452 that correspond to an array of electrical pads 220 from a dummyHDD 150, the dummy HDD devoid of the HDD motor controller functionalityand the spindle motor controller functionality, the two positionconnector pin array 453 configured to connect with the dummy HDD 150when in a first position but not configured to connect with the dummyHDD 150 when in a second position.

The dummy HDD power module 410 embodiment further envisioning whereinthe two position connector pin array 453 is tilted downward in the firstposition and tilted upward in the second position.

The above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention whatsoever because many more embodiments are easily conceivedwithin the teachings and scope of the instant specification.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, the power module may also contain one or twotwo-pole magnets on board without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention. A number of different electricalconnector/contact embodiments that cause conductivity between a dummyHDD and in power module are envisioned from pins and pads, to pins andsleeves, to plugs without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent invention. Though the chipset shown on the power module, such aconfiguration is hardly necessary and can be functionally elsewherewhile staying within the scope and spirit of the present invention.Other common components can be extracted from a traditional HDD andincluded with the power/enabler module, many different shapesconfigurations of the dummy HDD are conceivable, a number of differentshaped power modules are also conceivable without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention. Certain embodiments envisionmore than one chassis in a single server box with more than one row ofdummy HDDs being activated at any given time without departing fromembodiments within the present invention. Certain other embodimentsenvision some if not all of the electrical connector pads 220 disposedon both sides of a tab 225 capable of cooperating with one or more setsof connector pins in a dual direction without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. Finally, although the preferredembodiments described herein are directed to server systems that usedummy HDDs and enabler modules, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the teachings of the present invention can be applied toother storage devices that can be stripped of common elements andprovided with one or more universal modules that completes the storagedevices stripped of common elements without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power module comprising: a hard disk drive(HDD) microcontroller; a bus connector configured to connect with apower bus that provides power and communication to the power module; anda two position connector pin array that comprises a plurality ofconnector pins that correspond to an array of electrical pads from adummy HDD, the dummy HDD devoid of at least an onboard HDDmicrocontroller, the two position connector pin array configured toconnect with the dummy HDD when in a first position but not configuredto connect with the dummy HDD when in a second position.
 2. The powermodule of claim 1 further comprising a hard disk drive solid statebuffer memory chip.
 3. The power module of claim 1 wherein the hard diskdrive microcontroller includes a hard disk drive motor controller. 4.The power module of claim 1 further comprising a hard disk drive motorcontroller integrated circuit chip.
 5. The power module of claim 1wherein the power bus possesses an individual electrical linecorresponding to each of the electrical pins.
 6. The power module ofclaim 1 wherein the connector pins are spring-loaded.
 7. The powermodule of claim 1 wherein the power module comprises all functionalitynot onboard the dummy HDD that would otherwise complete a standaloneHDD.
 8. The power module of claim 1 wherein the two position connectorpin array is tilted downward in the first position and tilted upward inthe second position.
 9. The power module of claim 1 wherein the powermodule attached to a carriage, the carriage is configured to traverse anarray of dummy HDDs.
 10. The power module of claim 1 wherein theelectrical pads extend from a periphery of the dummy HDD.
 11. A powermodule operation method comprising: supplying power and thecommunication link to the power module via a power and communication busthat is connected to the power module; receiving instructions to engagea dummy HDD; moving a two position connector pin array from a firstposition to a second position the pin array comprises a plurality ofconnector pins; after the moving step, electrically engaging theplurality of connector pins with a pad array disposed on the dummy HDD,the pad array that corresponds with the pin array; and providingcontroller functionality to the dummy HDD, the controller functionalityrequired to bring the dummy HDD to a ready state, the dummy HDD devoidof at least an onboard HDD controller functionality.
 12. The powermodule operation method of claim 11 wherein the controller functionalityis built-in to a hard disk drive microcontroller.
 13. The power moduleoperation method of claim 11 further comprising disengaging the powermodule from the dummy HDD and moving the two position connector pinarray from the second position to the first position.
 14. The powermodule operation method of claim 11 further comprising a hard disk drivemotor controller integrated circuit chip on the power module, the dummyHDD devoid of motor controller capability.
 15. The power moduleoperation method of claim 11 wherein the two position connector pinarray rotates from the first position to the second position by way of apivoting motion.
 16. The power module operation method of claim 11wherein the power module further possesses a primary hard disk drivesolid state buffer memory chip, the dummy HDD devoid of buffer memoryfunctionality other than hard disks in the dummy HDD.
 17. The powermodule operating method of claim 11 wherein the pin array is tilteddownward when in the first position and the connector pins areorthogonal to the pad array when in the second position.
 18. The powermodule operating method of claim 11 further comprising prior to themoving step, traversing an array of dummy HDDs with the pin array in thefirst position.
 19. A dummy HDD power module comprising: a hard diskdrive (HDD) microcontroller with HDD microcontroller functionality; anHDD spindle motor controller with HDD spindle motor controllerfunctionality configured to maintain HDD spindle motor speed within atolerance of +/−0.2%; a bus connector configured to connect with a powerbus that provides power and communication to the power module; and a twoposition connector pin array that comprises a plurality of connectorpins that correspond to an array of electrical pads from a dummy HDD,the dummy HDD devoid of the HDD motor controller functionality and thespindle motor controller functionality, the two position connector pinarray configured to connect with the dummy HDD when in a first positionbut not configured to connect with the dummy HDD when in a secondposition.
 20. The dummy HDD power module of claim 19 wherein the twoposition connector pin array is tilted downward in the first positionand tilted upward in the second position.